GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — For the final time this week, Chief Meteorologist George Lessens is signing off the airwaves at 13 ON YOUR SIDE.
His last newscast will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27. You can watch over the air on channel 13, on our website and news app, or download our free streaming app 13+ on Roku, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV.
“George’s dedication, wisdom, and unwavering work ethic have left an indelible mark on us all at WZZM. As we celebrate his well-earned retirement, we want him to know he will be greatly missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire us in the years ahead," 13 ON YOUR SIDE President and General Manager Dan Baylog said.
George has spent nearly 45 years in West Michigan.
“Congratulations, George, on your well-earned retirement! I know I speak for the entire weather team when I say that your excellence in forecasting and dedication to keeping West Michigan safe has left a profound impact on our department. You are who many meteorologists, both current and aspiring, look up to, and we thank you for sharing your 44 years of knowledge with us. You will be missed," Meteorologist Samantha Jacques said.
“George’s impact on our community goes well beyond the delivery of timely and accurate forecasts. Over the years he’s been a dedicated supporter of a variety of 13 ON YOUR SIDE community initiatives, including hunger and poverty, family literacy, and Toys for Tots. We will miss his dedication," Community and Program Director at 13 ON YOUR SIDE Catherine Behrendt said.
FIRST FORECAST
Growing up in Lowell, Michigan, he was inspired to pursue meteorology at a young age after witnessing the 1965 Palm Sunday tornadoes.
George joined 13 ON YOUR SIDE on Nov. 17, 1980.
He doesn’t quite remember his first day at 13 ON YOUR SIDE. But he does remember his first day on air, which was a complete surprise.
“It was on Thanksgiving. It was a surprise. I was living with my parents at the time out in Lowell because I didn’t have an apartment yet and the phone rings at 3 o’clock in the morning on Thanksgiving Day,” George remembers.
“My mom answers the phone, comes in and wakes me up and says, ‘You need to go into work, someone called in sick,’ and I went, ‘Um, Ok.’ Did that, came home to Thanksgiving dinner. Later on, my mom says you’re going to have to find your own apartment because I am not answering the phone at 3 in the morning.”
George's Accolades
George’s commitment goes well beyond his forecasts.
He’s participated in research that brought a greater understanding of satellite imagery to learn about thunderstorm initiation.
He’s taught meteorology at the college level and mentored meteorology students. He’s trained a legion of amateur “weather watchers” to be his eyes and ears in the furthest reaches of our viewing area.
Since earning the treasured AMS Seal, George has served on the AMS Board of Broadcast Meteorology.
As a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador for more than a decade, George worked alongside NOAA to better prepare our nation for extreme weather, water, and climate events. He even changed the color palette on the 13 ON YOUR SIDE weather maps to better serve people who experience color blindness.
George’s work has honored the history and traditions of his profession, served the current needs of our viewers, and enriched the future of his industry by teaching and training future meteorologists.
His passion for weather carried him through a career filled with accolades, including being a thirteen-time MAB® Weathercast Award Winner, an Emmy winner and receiving the prestigious Charles L. Mitchell Award for Outstanding Service by a Forecaster from the American Meteorological Society earlier this year.
As he steps away from the green screen, George leaves behind a legacy of loving his community and his commitment to keeping viewers safe and informed during severe weather events.
Samantha Jacques, who has been bringing sunshine to the mornings at 13 ON YOUR SIDE for the past four years, will take over as Chief Meteorologist leading the 13 Weather Impact Team.
